Special offer

Selling Homes In Florida During Hurricane Season, Is it fair to frame Homes?

By
Real Estate Agent with Terra Firma Realty Group 3127547

Selling a house in Florida in "Hurricane Season"

I have lived in Florida since 1984, and have seen hurricanes come and go. The last three were the most intense, Frances hit on my husbands birthday, Jeanne hit on my birthday, and Wilma was a surprise.

What most insurance companies have done is made "frame" homes twice as expensive to insure. So even if this beautiful frame or fame stucco house 3/2/2 is on 1/2 acre lot and going for under 190,000 you can't give it away. I think the homes are harder to sell because of insurance companies and taxes so the state should make CBS homes tax's higher and give the frame homes a break. None of my frame homes have even had a showing. Most people bought them in the 1980's and want to make some profit to move, but they have to give them to the bank or lose and pay at the table. Most took refi's on them in 2005 and 2006 because banks made it so easy and they stripped their equity. So now the problem with the owners making any money is worse.

The hurricanes did this to the frame homes and people want to sell them. So now everyone is scrambling to get rid of the homes before another hurricane hits the treasure coast of Florida.

But how do you market these? There is no "win win". If you're the original deed holder your taxes did not go up but if you sell it the new owner has a big surprise. From maybe 500.00 to 3000.00.

This is an unfair practice when it comes to taxes and insurance for frame homes. They get no breaks and the cbs home builders are making a mint. And they are making them cheap so we will see lots of cracks in the foundations and the roofs will fly off just like a frame, but that is what it is going to take to show the insurance companies and buyers frame homes are as safe as CBS, unfortunately.

No investors will even buy them. So who will? I am hoping some Florida people who know this is a way to get a good buy and you will be just as safe as your neighbor in a cheap CBS.

I would think Florida is not the only state having this problem, Are any of you marketing hurricane friendly homes in hurricane season?

Melissa

Posted by
  • Has over 10 years experience in the Treasure Coast residential real estate market.
  • Has earned an E-Pro designation making her an expert with the latest fast-paced technology of today’s Real Estate market.
  • Melissa has a consistent track record of deal execution and closings no matter if you are buying or selling.
  • A tireless and dedicated REALTOR who can get results on all various types of deals and stages of the real estate market, and is knowledgeable in traditional transactions as well as short sale and REO properties.
  • Has an Associates Degree in business law which gives her a good understanding of the closing process and how to make sure her clients are getting the best possible real estate advice.
  • Has a significant amount of experience in rehab and construction having been involved in property management and the rebuilding of Port St Lucie after the hurricanes of 2004.
  • Living within two miles of the Atlantic Ocean has given Melissa a keen understanding of Florida Living.
Melissa Broker Associate
Terra Firma Realty Group - Stuart, FL
Short Sales and Listing and Selling Homes

I live in a frame home and I don't like paying higher insurance prices. Roofs fly off not walls.

Melissa

Jul 11, 2007 05:09 AM
Terry Haugen STAGE it RIGHT! 321-956-2495
Stage it Right! - Melbourne, FL

Hi Melissa, I worked in insurance for three years and got to see the great rip off as it unfolded right before my eyes.  Jeb Bush and the legislature allowed ALL of this to happen to us.  And now we consider ourselves lucky to even get reasonable insurance.  None of this should have happened and we should be speaking out.  Unfortunately there is no one to listen.

Terry Haugen - STAGE it RIGHT!

Jul 11, 2007 01:10 PM